Cincinnati Area Thread (Tri-State, Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana)

This is definitely inner CV joint grease. Have it all over my garage floor now after accidentally seperating a CV when pulling my Sienna transaxle.

Smells fine, tastes like garbage tho. Your diff oil has an unmistakable manly ass smell.

 

well, I hope I am wrong and it is inner CV grease but to me the puddle looks more fluid like. I’m curious though that it is both sides. I guess adding the lift would change the angle on both sides which could create a change in the inner boot…

Nick, only way to know is get under and investigate. Sorry Brother, I know the timing of this sucks.

 

See, that’s what I was thinking too. I smelled it again today and it has literally no smell. It’s also got a hint of a red color to it which makes me think it’s grease versus fluid.

It also doesn’t leak all the time. It’s almost as if the boot has to be oriented the right way for it to actually drip on the ground. Sometimes it’ll sit overnight in the driveway and leave a small puddle and other times, it won’t.

Yeah, the timing literally couldn’t be worse. Just got notice today that the closing on my new house is June 16th and I still have so much stuff left to sell/donate/trash/pack before I’m ready to move. Literally every free moment I have right now is tied up in this process.

I will climb under there and investigate tomorrow before I pick the kids up. If both inner boots are torn then it’s most likely grease. I’ll also wipe it up and spray it all down so I can see exactly where it’s coming from the next time it leaks. And I mean, I’ve had the driver’s side axle out once so I know I can replace them, I just need to limp it another month or so before I’ll have time.

 

So this house sale and move are still kicking my ass, and I haven’t had time to get under the truck yet…

But, with that said, it has stopped leaking on the driveway. I’ve driven it on a few short trips the last two days, mostly hauling kids back and forth and not once has it dripped on the cardboard I’ve put down. This leads me to believe it’s axle grease and worries me that the driver’s side is about dry now and that the passenger side may have already dried up.

I will confirm if the boots are torn sometime this weekend but I assume they both definitely are. If that’s the case, what’s my best option? I’ve heard CVJ axles are better than most and better than OEM for lifted applications. Ideally, I’d prefer to put something in there that won’t get destroyed by the lift angles too quickly. Any input or experience with replacement axles?

 

@09TRDSport4x4 - This is the first I've heard of CVJ Axles, but they look like they're reman OEM Axles with a longer Inner boot. From what I've heard OEM is the way to go, so given that these are still OEM and the only difference is the boot, I'd say this would be a great solution.

Tacoma's axles dissemble from the inside out, so the inside CV and boot are removed first. So, if only your inner boots are torn and your outside boots are in good shape, you could replace just that inner boot and grease. I've done it....it's not too bad to do. It looks like CVJ sells their longer inner boot by itself for $65, so if you anticipated getting some free time any time soon, this may be a good solution that would save you some $.
https://www.cvjreman.com/product/bootrt08/

Also, if anyone is curious the OEM inside boot part number is: 04438-04050

 

Are both CV axles the same part number?

I stupidly didn’t replace the spindle seal when I replaced my hub bearings and am leaning towards replacing the CV axles, seals and the very crappy LCAs I replaced maybe 2 years ago that a rusting away.

and I really don’t like my ToyTec Boss suspension.

I think it’s time for a total suspension redo.

 

Yes, both driver and passenger axles are the same.

I did notice that the CVJ axles come with new seals....those knuckle dust seals seem to get damaged with every axle pull...so that's another pro to buying a complete reman from CVJ instead of just replacing the boot.

 

Does anyone (@beertimecontinuum ) have some spare 2nd/3rd gen LCA's I could borrow for a week or so to borrow and get intimate with?

 

I have the oem ones from my truck. Had to be cut off so don’t know how much damage was done to the bushings.

 

You can come borrow them after I get the van out of the garage and the truck back in, I'll let you know

 

@beertimecontinuum No worries no rush.
@09TRDSport4x4 the stock lowers? Send a pic?

 

Got a couple sweet bargains for local guys. I havn't been on here in years, tacomas gone and need to get rid of a ecgs built diff/third member : 4.56
nitro gears, arb air locker with switch. Bought used from a member here 10,000 mis. on diff. Should function with most 2nd gens. First $700 takes it. Also bestop supertop for 2nd gen acces cab, never installed,still in box $100. Both items been in storage for several years. I know I am breaking buyselltrade rules, just thought I could help out local forum guys....pm if interested, probably go to craigslist if no interest here.

 

Post a couple pictures when you can, and nobody will probably say anything.

 

@JohnnyRed

 

Yes sir, stock LCAs. They’re in the boxes my replacements came in. I can snap a few pictures once I get the garage cleaned out a bit. That’s next on my moving to do list…

 

I'll take the bestop cover and am interested in the 3rd. Does anyone know if the 3rd will bolt up to a LSD rear axle?

 

I believe you need to determine what size ring gear he has 8" or 8.75". Yours should accept 8.75"

 

Does anyone have a stock 17” wheel they could part with?

 

I’ve got a stock 17” steel spare wheel from under the truck.

 

Got all the pieces finally. Now just need time to install. Hopefully it’s better than other RC stuff